I’m late to the game (pun intended) on this new Hunger Games novel, but here are my thoughts
I read Sunrise on the Reaping shortly after it was released (March 18th, 2025). The original Hunger Games trilogy is one of my favorite series. It introduced me into dystopian YA fiction, and Collins’ writing and storytelling have influenced my own as an author.
Spoiler-Free Overview
Taking place at the second Quarter Quell, twenty-four years before Katniss’s games, we meet a teenage Haymitch, and he is a far cry from the drunkard readers know from the original trilogy.
- Haymitch Abernathy cares about nothing more than being with his girl, Lenore Dove.
- When Haymitch’s name is called for the 50th Hunger Games, he is torn from Lenore Dove, from his family and home, and launched to the Capital with three other District 12 tributes.
- As the Games begin to play out, Haymitch realizes he’s been set up for failure… But he can’t help but fight to return home to Lenore Dove.
What Makes Sunrise on the Reaping Stand Out in YA Literature
- Collins’ writing style: As always, I love Collins’ writing style! She is adept at making the world of Panem come alive without unnecessary flowery language. Her no-nonsense style also manages to connect readers to the characters in a straightforward, powerful way. Through her skillful writing, readers are brought straight back into the world of Katniss and explore new aspects to it.
- Characters: While Haymitch’s character arc was depressing, it was well-done. Collins skillfully demonstrates how he journeyed from hopeful lover boy to the hopeless drunkard he was in The Hunger Games. The supporting characters also were rich and interesting. Although I knew how the story would end, I was still crossing my fingers maybe some of them would make it.
- The Arena: Haymitch’s Quarter Quell arena was a captivating and such a unique concept. Once again, Collins provides an arena that’s as much a character in and of itself.
Where It Fell Flat (Spoilers Below!)
Unfortunately, there were a handful of choices that made Sunrise on the Reaping feel less original and more of a copy-and-paste of the prior Hunger Games novels.
As much as I like “Easter eggs” in books, this one had a touch too many. There were over seven characters from the original trilogy who show up in Haymitch’s story. While one or two – maybe three – would’ve been acceptable, seven or more names dropped dulled their presence in the story and distracted from the relevant plot.
While I love the arenas of each Hunger Games book, this arena put a crack in the world building for me. Being 24 years before Katniss’s games, the arena appeared equally technologically advanced. This seemed like an inconsistent choice, as tech in the Capital would not remain unchanged over a 24 year period.
Next (and SPOILER!), I was unenthused with Haymitch’s arena-story being a precursor to Katniss’s. It detracted from what Katniss accomplished, and it was too predictable.
Lastly – an unpopular opinion, I know – I did not care for Lenore Dove. As Haymitch’s reason to live, I found her annoying with a better-than-others attitude. She felt like a shadow of Lucy Gray from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I appreciated Haymitch’s devotion to her, but I didn’t care for their love story as a whole. It had nothing on Katniss and Peeta’s relationship journey.
Who Should Read Sunrise on the Reaping?
- Fans of the original The Hunger Games trilogy and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- Readers looking for an immersive, page-turner that will pull at heartstrings
- Fans of direct, skillful writing and plotting
If You Like Sunrise on the Reaping…
If you like YA books, dystopian books, or immersive page-turners, check out these other YA series!
- River of Time (Lisa T. Bergren)
- Scythe (Neal Shusterman)
- Divergent (Veronica Roth)
- Red Queen (Victoria Aveyard)
- Remnants (Lisa T. Bergren)
And, if you’re looking for a brand-new original YA novel, take a look at my debut Shift! A low fantasy, Shift is about a criminal shapeshifter who accepts a high stakes job that could alter the course of her life and her peoples’ forever.
My writing has been hugely inspired by Suzanne Collins’ storytelling. Though our stories are dissimilar in many ways, they share the immersive engaging quality. And one of my settings has a lot in common with District 12!
My Final Rating
Despite my qualms, I enjoyed the book as a whole and the foray back into Panem via Collins’ no-fluff but impactful writing style.
Content Rating: Moderate
for violence between children, heavy themes
Copyright Suzanne Collins and Scholastic. Image from Amazon.
Haymitch’s games is the 50th, not 25th. It’s 40 years from Lucy Gray’s and yes, 24 from Katniss’. And I do feel like the game maker technology changed a lot. They didn’t need to be on sight for the 74th for one.
Ah! Thanks for catching that mistake.